The demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals, especially Security Operations Center (SOC) analysts, has never been higher. With cyber threats growing in complexity and frequency, organizations across industries are seeking SOC analysts who can identify, investigate, and mitigate security incidents. For those looking to enter the field or sharpen their skills, there’s good news: you don’t need to spend a fortune to gain the knowledge necessary to succeed.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best free SOC analyst training resources available, from comprehensive courses to valuable hands-on labs. Whether you're a beginner or a professional looking to upskill, these resources will help you get a solid foundation in SOC operations.
For more, download our data-sheet on how you can augment your SOC with the Cado platform to reduce incident response times and increase analyst efficiency by up to 250%.
1. Introduction to Cybersecurity by Cisco Networking Academy
This course is perfect for those who are just starting in cybersecurity. Cisco’s Introduction to Cybersecurity course provides a solid foundation, covering key topics like network security, ethical hacking, and basic threat detection.
Key Features:
- 15-hour self-paced course
- Covers fundamental concepts of cybersecurity
- Offers a certificate upon completion
It’s a great starting point for aspiring SOC analysts as it covers the essentials of protecting networks and understanding cyber threats.
2. Cybersecurity Fundamentals by IBM
IBM offers a free cybersecurity fundamentals course through its Digital Learning platform. This course provides a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity tools and techniques, including incident response, security operations, and security monitoring.
Key Features:
- 7 hours of self-paced content
- Covers cybersecurity frameworks, tools, and processes
- Free digital badge upon completion
This course introduces SOC-related concepts like threat detection and incident handling, which are crucial for SOC analysts.
3. Blue Team Labs Online (BTLO)
For hands-on learning, Blue Team Labs Online is an excellent platform that provides free challenges designed for SOC analysts and blue team professionals. It allows you to practice in a simulated environment and hone your detection and response skills.
Key Features:
- Free access to select challenges
- Hands-on experience with incident response, log analysis, and forensics
- Community and leaderboard for friendly competition
This is a must-try for anyone wanting to gain real-world experience in detecting and mitigating cyberattacks.
4. Splunk Fundamentals 1
Splunk is a widely used tool in SOC environments for analyzing and visualizing security data. Splunk Fundamentals 1 is a free online course that teaches you how to use Splunk for data collection, searching, and visualizing logs—skills that are critical for SOC analysts.
Key Features:
- 10-hour self-paced course
- In-depth lessons on how to use Splunk to monitor and investigate security incidents
- Hands-on labs for practical experience
Learning how to use a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tool like Splunk will significantly enhance your SOC analyst skills.
5. Elastic Security Labs
Elastic (the company behind Elasticsearch) offers free training courses for learning how to monitor security data. Their Elastic Security Labs page has several blog posts, research papers, and free tools designed to help you understand how to detect threats using the Elastic Stack.
Key Features:
- Hands-on learning in a real-world environment
- Free tools for threat hunting and investigation
- Focuses on open-source SIEM solutions
Elastic's solutions are becoming increasingly popular in SOC environments, and mastering this stack can give you a valuable edge in the job market.
6. TryHackMe: Cyber Defense Path
TryHackMe is a popular platform offering hands-on labs and virtual environments for learning about cybersecurity. Their Cyber Defense Path is specifically designed for those interested in blue team operations and SOC roles.
Key Features:
- Guided labs covering SOC operations, incident response, and threat hunting
- Beginner-friendly and hands-on exercises
- Community support and gamified learning
While some premium rooms are paid, many labs are free, making it a great place to start learning and practicing.
7. AlienVault OSSIM (Open Source SIEM) Training
SIEM tools are essential for any SOC analyst, and AlienVault OSSIM is one of the most widely used open-source SIEM platforms. AlienVault provides free resources to learn how to set up and manage OSSIM, which is valuable for monitoring security events in real-time.
Key Features:
- Free access to OSSIM platform and tutorials
- Focus on monitoring, analyzing, and responding to security threats
- Comprehensive community support
Understanding how to work with SIEM platforms like OSSIM will give you practical skills that are directly transferable to SOC roles.
8. Microsoft Learn: Security Operations Analyst Learning Path
Microsoft offers an extensive SOC Analyst learning path for those interested in working with Microsoft’s security tools like Sentinel and Defender. It’s designed to help you pass the SC-200 exam, but it also provides hands-on training that’s applicable in real-world SOC roles.
Key Features:
- Free self-paced course with practical labs
- In-depth coverage of threat detection, response, and investigation using Microsoft security products
- Opportunity to pursue certification
Learning Microsoft security tools is especially beneficial if you plan to work in environments heavily using Azure or other Microsoft technologies.
9. SANS Cyber Aces Online
SANS Cyber Aces Online is a free cybersecurity training program developed by the SANS Institute. It covers foundational topics like operating systems, networking, and system administration, all of which are crucial for SOC analysts. It has now been retired.
Key Features:
- Free access to comprehensive modules on key cybersecurity topics
- Prepares you for more advanced security certifications
- Suitable for both beginners and professionals looking to refresh their skills
SANS is one of the most respected organizations in the cybersecurity industry, and Cyber Aces provides high-quality material at no cost.
Conclusion
Becoming a SOC analyst doesn’t require expensive bootcamps or degrees. With the free resources available online, anyone with dedication and discipline can acquire the skills needed to launch or advance a career in cybersecurity. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your existing skill set, these free SOC analyst training resources offer a wealth of knowledge, hands-on experience, and real-world insights to help you succeed in this high-demand field.
So, dive in, start learning, and get ready to defend organizations from cyber threats—one alert at a time!
Cado's digital forensics and incident response platform can be a vital tool for SOC analysts in training, offering hands-on experience with real-world cyber incident data. As SOC trainees learn how to detect, investigate, and respond to cybersecurity threats, Cado’s automated capabilities allow them to analyze cloud environments and collect forensic data effectively. The platform's user-friendly interface provides the opportunity for beginners to familiarize themselves with essential processes in cyber defense, boosting their skillsets as they prepare for certifications and real-world responsibilities in SOC roles. The free community edition can be deployed into your AWS account.
For more, download our data-sheet on how you can augment your SOC with the Cado platform to reduce incident response times and increase analyst efficiency by up to 250%.